PORT ANGELES — A small rally for the long-envisioned Port Angeles International Gateway Transportation Center was marked by Sen. Patty Murray Thursday at the project’s future site at Front and Lincoln streets.
“I am so thrilled to be here today,” said Murray, D-Shoreline.
“This Gateway Center project will create jobs, help transportation access and provide a downtown gathering place.”
The Gateway Center is intended as an attractive entrance to downtown Port Angeles with a pedestrian mall, Chamber of Commerce visitor center, parking garage and staging area for Clallam Transit System buses.
The latest estimated project cost is $9.5 million, although that is being revised, with $7.4 million paid by city, state and federal sources and monthly rent from the Chamber of Commerce.
The remaining $2.1 million remains to be found, although City Manager Mike Quinn has proposed a multi-source funding approach.
Murray — ranking Democrat on the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee — said she secured $1.5 million for the project in addition to millions more in other public and private investment.
It is a smart investment and a win-win situation, she said.
“This project goes a long way toward making Port Angeles an even better place to live,” Murray said.
‘Lid’ over parking
The $1.5 million obtained by Murray paid for the concrete “lid” to preserve about 60 underground parking spots at the northwest corner of Front and Lincoln streets.
Retaining the parking spots helped meet the Port Angeles Downtown Association’s goal of “no net loss of parking” from the project, removing potential opposition from merchants in the group.
Murray also is pursuing $1 million in federal funding for a pedestrian walkway called the Waterfront Promenade, which will stretch along Railroad Avenue from Lincoln Street to Valley Creek Estuary Park.
